Apparatus for the separation of fluids



Feb. 6, 1945. J. BLIZARD APPARATUS FOR THE SEPARATION OF FLUIDS Original Filed Nov. 22, 1959 INVENTOR Jb/wv 54 /ZA ATTORNEY Patented F eb. 6, 1945 APPARATUSFOB THE SEPARATION OF FLUIDS John Blizard, Garden City, N. Y., assignor to Forter Wheeler Corporation, New York, N. Y., a corporation of New York Original application November 22, 1939, Serial No. 305,632. Divided and this application October 31, 1942, Serial No. 484,043

8 Claims. (01. 122-488) This invention relates to apparatus for the separation of fluids from mixtures thereof, more particularly the separation of vapor and liquid from mixtures of the same. The invention will be disclosed as applied to the separation of steam and water in a drum of a water tube boiler, but it will be understood that the invention is not limited to this particular application, but it may be utilized generally in the separation of vapors and liquids from mixtures thereof.

This application is a division of application Serial No, 305,632, filed November 22, 1939 and issued June 1, 1943, as U. 8. Letters Patent 2,320,345.

- In water tube boilers, mixtures of steam and water rise in the heated tubes and discharge into drums wherein the steam separates from .the water. The steam leaves the boiler through openings in theupper portionof the drum, and

the water remaining in the drum, recirculates. through the heated tubes wherein a further portion of the water is evaporated, and the separating process is repeated. In many steam boilers, particularly those which are operated at high specific rates of evaporation, the separation of water and steam-is not complete, due to the fact that a portion of the water is carried on with the steam from the drum, and a portion of the steam is carried back with the water to the boiler tubes. This incompleteness of separation is undesirable from the standpoint of superheating equipment, and the steam consuming equipment.

The present invention overcomes this disadvantage and provides separating apparatus in which steam and water or other vapors and fluids in admixture will be more completely separated in the steam drum or other enclosure.

The invention will be understood from the following description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawing forming a part thereof, and in which:

Fig. 1 is a more or less diagrammatic transverse sectional view of a boiler steam and water drum embodying one form of the invention;

Fig. 2 is a horizontal, sectional view taken on line 22 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 1, showing a boiler steam and water drum embodying another form of the invention, and 1 Fig. 4 is a horizontal sectional the line 4-4 of P18. 3.

Like characters of reference refer to the same or to similar parts throughout the several views.

Referring to the drawing. particularly to Fig. 1,

view taken on drum to which are connected a plurality of heated or steam generating tubes II, and a plurality of downcomer tubes l2 and having a steam outlet It. The drum is separated into a steam space A and a compartment B, by a partition or diaphragm it which extends longitudinally of the drum throughout its length. As shown. the dia: phragm comprises an .upper horizontal portion and downwardly extending portion which engages the inner wall of the drum just upwardly of the outermost row of boiler tubes ii. The diaphragm extends below the water level in the drum and separates the body of water entering the downcomer tubes I2 from the mixtureof steam and water which enters the drum through the generating tubes II.

In the horizontal portion of the diaphragm are disposed a plurality of short, tubular separating members l5 of the type having a whirl chamber formed by a substantially imperforate outer wall which members are open at their upper ends and are closed at their lower ends except for outlet openings, and have adjacent the upper portion thereof one or more inlet openings extending through the wall thereof. To each of the inlet openings is connected a tangential inlet conduit it through which a mixture of steam and water flows from the compartment B into the separating member. A conduit 23 has a vertically extending portion connected to the outlet opening in the bottom of each of the separating members and has a horizontally extending portion projecting through the vertical section of the partition It so as to discharge into the water space or residue chamber I! in the lower portion of the drum Ill. The separating members I! are disposed in the partition It with the tangential inlet conduits below' the diaphragm, and with the upper open ends approximately flush with the dia-. phragm, although they maybe disposed above the diaphragm, if desired. The separating members extend preferably at spaced intervals throughout thelength andwidth of the horizon-' tal portion of the partition [4.

In operation, the steam and water mixture entering the drum through the tubes ll, moves upwardly in compartment B and enters the one or more tangential inlet conduits ii of the separating members it. The steam and water mixture is whirled in a circular path in each separating member, centrifugal force causing the steam and water to become separated, the water moving downwardly along the inner wall of the mem. her, while the steam will take a position-radially reference character ill designates a steam boiler g3 inwardly of the water and will flow upwardly and into the space A above the partition M. The separated water flows from the bottom of each separating member through the conduit 29 into the body of water in the chamber II which supplies the downcomer tubes I2. The steam from I 3 and 4, the steam and water mixture in compartment B of the steam and water drum in enters the upper portion of each separating device 25, and the separated water leaves the device at the lower portion thereof through an outlet conduit 26 which conducts the water to the portion of the space A adjacent the vertical part of the diaphragm H. The upper portion 21 of the separating device 25 is enlarged to provide a flange on which is mounted a plurality of spaced, curved vanes 29. One of the side'edges of the vanes is secured to the enlarged portion 21 while the opposite side edge is secured to the lower surface of the horizontal portion of the partition [4. The vanes 29 are so arranged as to provide a plurality of curved flow paths 90 of gradually diminishing flow area, through which the steam and water mixture flows from the compartment B into the separating device. A tubular member 28 is secured to the horizontal portion 14 and is in communication with the steam space A and central portion of the whirl chamber. The member 28 is of a lesser diameter than the whirl chamber and concentric thereto. The inner endsof the vanes 29 are disposed in a circle in alignment substantially with the cylindrical wall of the lower portion of the separating device, thereby providing an annular space 3| between the inner ends of the vanes and the member 28 in which the steam and water moves in a circular or spiral path, or both, after its discharge from the inner ends of the paths 30.

In the operation of the form of the invention shown in Figs. 3 and 4, the steam and water mixture flows from compartment B into all of the flow paths 30'simultaneously wherein the water will separate from the steam and will flow along the concave surfaces of the vanes 29, while the steam will flow in other portions of the path. The steam and water in separated, or in partly separated condition, will be discharged into the annular space 9| and will move in this space in a circular or spiral direction, or both: to complete the separation of the steam and water. The separated water will flow along the outer peripheral portion of the annular space 3|, while the separated steam will tend to flow in the other portions of this space. The water will fall by gravity to the lower part of the separating device and will be conducted to chamber l'l through conduit 26, while the steam will flow downwardly and make an abrupt turn and flow upwardly through the member 28 into steam space A. With this arrangement, the separated steam and water do not flow across the path of the other separated component of the mixture, and the abrupt turn of about 180 made by the steam prior to flowing from the separating device will separate out any entrained moisture whichmay remain in the steam after flowing from the annular space 3|.

In accordance with the invention, it will be perceived that the component parts of the vapor liquid mixture are completely separated readily and efliciently and without the necessity of utilizing cumbersome arrangements. The operation is such that dry vapor is obtained and vapor free liquid is delivered to the vaporizing tubes of the generator. I

It will be understood that changes may be made in the form, location and arrangement of the several parts of the apparatus illustrated without departing from the principles of the invention.

which is not to be limited excepting by the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A steam and water drum for a steam generator having steam generating and downcomer tubes connected to the drum, a longitudinally extending partition in the drum located to divide the interior of the drum into a. space for steam in the upper portion thereof, a compartment for a steam and water mixture, and a residue chamber for water in the lower portion thereof, said steam generating tubes connecting with the compartment, said downcomer tubes connecting with the lower portion of the residue chamber, means forming acentrifugal steam and water separator of the type having a whirl chamber formed by a substantially imperforate outer wall, said separator being arranged to extend into the compartment with its axis substantially vertical and with its steam outlet opening into said space, the upper part of the portion of said separator within the compartment having an inlet opening therein 2. A steam and water drum for a steam gen-.

erator having steam generating and downcomer tubes connected to the drum, a longitudinally extending partition in the drum locatedto divide the interior of the drum into a space for steam in the upper portion thereof, a compartment for a steam and water mixture, and a residue chamber for water in the lower portion thereof, said steam generating tubes connecting with the compartment, said downcomer tubes connecting with the lower portion of the residue chamber, means forming a centrifugal steam and water separator having a substantially cylindrically-shaped whirl chamber formed by a substantiallyimperiorate outer wall, said separator being arranged to extend into the compartment with its axis substantially vertical and with its steam outlet opening into said space, the upper part of the portion of said separator within the compartment having an inlet opening therein through which a mixture of steam and water flows into the separator from said compartment, and residue outlet means communicating with the lower part of the separator and the residue chamber.

3. A steam and water drum for a steam generator having steam generating and downcomer"- tubes connected to the drum, a longitudinally extending partition in the drum having a substantially horizontal portion and a substantially vertically extending portion located to divide the interior of the drum into a space for steam in the upper portion thereof above the horizontally extending portion, a compartment in the lower axis substantially vertical and with its steam outlet opening into said space, the upper part of the portion of said separator within the compartment having an inlet opening therein through which a mixture of steam and water flows into the separator from said compartment, and residue outlet means communicating with the lower part of the separator and the residue chamber. 1

4. A steam and water drum for a steam generator having steam generating and. downcomer tubes connected to the drum, a longitudinally extending partition in the drum located to divide the interior of the drum into a space for steam in the upper portion thereof, a compartment for a steam and water mixture, and a residue chamber for water in the lower portion thereof, said steam generating tubes connecting with the compartment, said downcomer tubes connecting with the lower portion of the residue cham ber, means forming a centrifugal steam and water separator of the type having a whirl chamber formed by a substantially imperforate outer wall, said separator being arranged to extend into the compartment with its axis substantially vertical and with its steam outlet opening into said space, the upper part of the portion of said separator within the compartment having an inlet opening therein through which a mixture of steam and water flows into the separator from said compartment, and a residue outlet conduit in communication through one end thereof with the bottom of the whirl chamber and in communication through the opposite end with the residue chamber.

5. A steam and water drum for a steam generator having steam generating and downcomer tubes connected to the drum, a longitudinally extending partition in the drum located to divide the interior of the drum into a space for steam in the upper portion thereof, a compartment for a steam and water mixture, and a residue chamber for water in the lower portion thereof, said steam generating tubes connecting with the compartment, said downcomer tubes connecting with the lower portion of the residue chamber, means forming a centrifugal steam and water separator of the type. having a whirl chamber formed by a substantially imperforate outer wall, said separator being arrangedto extend into the compartment with its axis substantially vertical and with its steam outlet opening into said space, the upper part of the portion of said separator within the compartment having an inlet opening therein, an inlet conduit in communication at one end with the inlet opening of the separator and at the other end with said compartment, said inlet conduit being arranged and disposed to discharge the mixture of steam and water at a tangentto the inner wall of the whirl chamber, and residue outlet means communicating with the lower part of the separator and the residue chamber.

6. A steam and water drum for a steam generator having steam generating and downcomer tubes connected to the drum, a longitudinally extending partition in the drum located to divide the interior of the drum into a space for steam in the upper portion thereof, a compartment for a steam and water mixture, and a residue chamber for water in the lower portion thereof, said steam generating tubes connecting with the compartment, said downcomer tubes connecting with the lower portion of the residue chamber, means forming a centrifugal steam and water separator 01 the type having a whirl chamberiormed by a substantially imperiorate outer wall, said separator being arranged to extend into the compartment with its axis substantially vertical and with its steam outlet opening into said space, means at the upper portion of the separating memberand within the compartment, said means extending circumferentially oi the whirl chamber and providing a plurality of curved flow paths through which a mixture of steam and water flows into the whirl chamber from the compartment, and residue outlet means communicating with the lower part of the separator and the residue chamber.

'7. A steam and water drum for a steam generator having steam generating and downcomer tubes connected to the drum, a longitudinally extending partition in the drum located to divide the interior of the drum into a space for steam in the upper portion thereof, a compartment for a steam and water mixture, and a residue chamber for water in the lower portion thereof, said steam generating tubes connecting with the compartment, said downcomer tubes connecting with the lower portion of the residue chamber, means forming a centrifugal steam and water separator of the type having a whirl chamber formed by a substantially imperforate outer wall, said separator being arranged to extend into the compartment with its axis substantially vertical and with its steam outlet opening into said space, flow directing means at the upper portion of the separating member and within the compartment, said flow directing means extendingcircumferentially of the whirl chamber and including a plurality of curved vanes spaced from one another to form a plurality of curved flow paths having a flow area which gradually diminishes toward the whirl chamber and through which paths a mixture oi. steam and water flows from the compartment into thewhirl chamber, and residue outlet means communicating with the lower part of the separator and the residue chamber.

8. A steam and water drum for a steam generator having steam generating and downcomer tubes connected to the drum, a longitudinally extending partition in the drum located to divide the interior of the drum into a space for steam in the upper portion thereof, a compartment for a steam and water mixture, and a residue chamber for water in the lower portion thereof, said steam generating tubes connecting with the compartment, said downcomer tubes connecting with th lower portion of the residue chamber, means forming a centrifugal steam and water separator of the type having a whirl chamber formed by a substantially imperforate outer wall, said sepa rator being disposed in said compartment with its axis substantially vertical, a tubular member through which steam flows from the whirl chamber to the steam space, said tubular member extending downwardly into the whirl chamber and being or lesser diameter than said whirl chamber,- now directing means at the upper portion of the separating member and within the compartment.

said flow directing means extending circumferentiallyoi the whirl chamber and including a plurality of curved vanes the inner end of which is disposed in substantial alignment with the inner periphery of the wall of the whirl chamber, said vanes being spaced from one another to form a filurality of curved flow paths having a. flow JOHN BLIZARD. 

